Much has been made of the supposed pause in global warming for the last 15 years or so on the part of those who deny that there is warming, or that people aren't responsible or that it's good for us or whatever argument they think might sound best in a given situation. RealClimate, a site run by climatologists, informs us that a new analysis of data from that time frame that … [Read more...] about The Global Warming Interlude Might Not Exist
Update and Clarification
A few days ago I did a post that alleged that the Stuxnet virus had infected the International Space Station and quoted Eugene Kaspersky. I just received the following email from Sarah Bergeron of the Kapersky Labs: On November 7, while talking with the press after his speech at the National Press Club of Australia, Eugene Kaspersky, illustrating how a network with no … [Read more...] about Update and Clarification
It’s Not Just Obamacare For the Tea Party
At least one Tea Party organization hasn't let the Great Obamacare Panic distract them from something really important. The Tea Party Leadership Fund is starting a project to primary all 87 Republicans who dared to vote for the deal to end the government shutdown. After all, as Dan Backer, the treasurer of the group says "You can’t be a conservative and vote to raise the debt … [Read more...] about It’s Not Just Obamacare For the Tea Party
Quote of the Day: Why Obamacare is in greater trouble this week
In response to some comments on TMV and a few emails that suggest that yours truly and TMV are now somehow doing Republican talking points, or the site is being co-written by Sean Hannity, our Quote of the Day is from the Washington Post's apparently (using that same standard) right wing columnist Ezra Klein on why Obamacare is in greater trouble than a week ago. We'll just … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Why Obamacare is in greater trouble this week
Polls: Bad news for Obama, Congress and Democrats
A slew of new polls contain mostly bad news for President Barack Obama, Congress and Democrats in Congress. Many voters are saying "a pox on all of your houses" as Obama's numbers sink to within a hair of former President George Bush's bad numbers, Congress has dropped down so far down a "SOUTH POLE" sign can be seen -- and Democrats have lost the advantage that they had on the … [Read more...] about Polls: Bad news for Obama, Congress and Democrats
Obamacare sign up numbers come up far short of projections: 106,000
Only 106,000 'select' Obamacare plans in October (via AFP) Only 106,000 people enrolled in the new US health plan in its first month and only a quarter did so on a faulty government website, in early failures for President Barack Obama's top domestic achievement. Government figures published Wednesday were… … [Read more...] about Obamacare sign up numbers come up far short of projections: 106,000
German Snowden-Mania Puts All Europe at Risk (ABC, Spain)
Are Germans giving in to self-defeating emotion by considering asylum for former NSA analyst Edward Snowden? For Spain's ABC Newspaper, columnist Hermann Tertsch castigates Germans for being whipped up 'by media which is as populist as it is irresponsible' - with a 'campaign of hysteria and compassionate demagogy' that puts the entire continent at risk. For Spain's ABC, … [Read more...] about German Snowden-Mania Puts All Europe at Risk (ABC, Spain)
Tidbits from Down Under – Part 3
While reading my second installment of “Tidbits from Down Under,” I realized that introductions, caveats, disclaimers, etc. took up a large portion of the piece. This time, having already heard from a friend from Down Under, I will just repeat and expand one “disclaimer”: These "tidbits" are impressions of someone who knew very little about that magnificent continent … [Read more...] about Tidbits from Down Under – Part 3
Drugs in Canada (Cartoon)
https://politicalgraffiti.wordpress.com/2013/11/13/justin-trudeau-and-rob-ford/ Copyright 2013 David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Drugs in Canada (Cartoon)
How FDR’s Widow Helped Elect JFK
My main contribution to Kennedy’s election was inadvertent, and it was delivered by Eleanor Roosevelt. We had run a piece by FDR’s widow, “My Advice to the Next First Lady.” The producers of the “Tonight” show called me to ask her if she would appear with Jack Paar. To my surprise, she agreed. On the way to the studio, I asked Mrs. Roosevelt, who had supported Adlai … [Read more...] about How FDR’s Widow Helped Elect JFK
Panic? Democrats ask White House to fix Obamacare ASAP
It certainly sounds like panic is setting in among Democrats. And for good reason: It is now undeniable that when historians write the history of Barack Obama they'll say a)he accomplished what no other President could do in the Affordable Health Care act b)he used up lots of political capital in getting the Affordable Health Care Act through, which hurt his party in the … [Read more...] about Panic? Democrats ask White House to fix Obamacare ASAP
The Comedy God Gives You Toronto’s Mayor Rob Ford
The universe's comedy God has answered prayers of comedians everywhere who seek a sure-fire punch line: He has given them Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Ford has become a living unfunny joke. For years people joked when a politician said something silly: "What is he? On crack?" In the case of Canadian politician and businessman Rob Ford, the answer at least one time would be "yes." … [Read more...] about The Comedy God Gives You Toronto’s Mayor Rob Ford
Misreading a Column on Christie in Iowa
The controversy over a Washington Post column about Chris Christie confirms that, in the wake of cable TV and Internet shrieking, Americans have become illiterate. Writing about Christie’s chances in an Iowa primary dominated by Tea Party prejudices, Richard Cohen notes, “People with conventional views must repress a gag reflex when considering the mayor-elect of New York--a … [Read more...] about Misreading a Column on Christie in Iowa
Expect increasingly violent cyclones, weather experts warn
Expect increasingly violent cyclones, weather experts warn (via AFP) Meteorologists have yet to formally link global warming to typhoons like the one that devastated the Philippines, but they expect increasingly extreme weather phenomena due to a rise in ocean temperatures. The trail of death and destruction left in… … [Read more...] about Expect increasingly violent cyclones, weather experts warn
Some Compelling Math For Republicans
With the elections over it is time for both sides to play pundit. Republicans no doubt will trump the win in New Jersey while Democrats will cite Virginia. In fairness both sides are a bit off in their analysis since the results in both states extend to a large degree from event specific factors (Christie's personal popularity in New Jersey and the horrible campaign run by the … [Read more...] about Some Compelling Math For Republicans
The CBS Benghazi Story
I had been waiting for a former journalist and our bloglord, Joe to cover this but since he hasn't I thought I would jump in. A disclaimer up front, Iv'e always considered Lara Logan to be more of a propagandist than a journalist. As it turns out her husband truly was a propagandist for the U.S. military in Iraq. A few weeks ago on CBS's 60 Minutes Lara Logan presented a … [Read more...] about The CBS Benghazi Story
Santorum Doesn’t Do Irony
Brian Tashman reports on Rick Santorum's attempt to save movie audiences from Satan on rightwingwatch.org (h/t secularright.org) Rick Santorum is asking you to do your part to free movie theatres from the Devil’s clutches by purchasing tickets to his upcoming movie, The Christmas Candle. He appeared on the Trinity Broadcasting Network last week to plug the new movie of his … [Read more...] about Santorum Doesn’t Do Irony
Washington Post columnist Cohen’s column stirs up firestorm amid charges of racism
We've sometimes run Washington Post Writers Group columnists Richard Cohen's columns here on The Moderate Voice when the other two columnists we've used were on vacation. He has walked into a political firestorm and -- if he understands the way today's politics and Internet work -- should have known better. Was he just making a point about racism, or being a racist? The … [Read more...] about Washington Post columnist Cohen’s column stirs up firestorm amid charges of racism
Bill Clinton urges Obama to honor promise on keeping insurance
How big a liability has the controversy over Americans keeping their insurance under the Affordable Health Care Act become? It has become so big due to President Barack Obama's repeated assurances that Americans could keep their doctors and insurance that the Democratic Party's voice of political truth and pragmatism has chimed in -- in a big way. President Bill Clinton, aka, … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton urges Obama to honor promise on keeping insurance
Digital Pandemic?
The Stuxnet computer virus developed by the U.S. and Israel to disrupt the Iranian nuclear program has infected the International Space Station. A Russian nuclear power plant was reportedly “badly infected” by the rogue Stuxnet virus, the same malware that reportedly disrupted Iran’s nuclear program several years ago. The virus then spread to the International Space Station … [Read more...] about Digital Pandemic?